Photographic camera



' Lr L/ Dec. 30, 1941. P. J. BRowNscoMBE 2,267,811

PHOTOGRAPHIC CAMERA Filed April 19, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet l Ilm MINV

Dec. 30, 1941- P. J. BRowNscoMBE 2,267,311

PHOTOGRAPHIC CAMERA Filed April 19, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 "wml @y IVENTOR Patented Dec. 30, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 14 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in cameras, incorporating range and view finders, being particularly directed to a combination range and view finder operative to provide automatic correction for parallax with respect to the objective of the camera in both the vertical and horizontal planes.

The combined range and view nder is of the coincidence type wherein the optical axis of the view nder coincides with the direct observation axis of the range finder and may be coupled to the objective of the camera for actuation by the objective focusing mechanism or may be applied independently of such mechanism in conjunction with a focal scale of the character presently used on accessory range finders.

By virtue of the structural formation of cameras incorporating or having associated therewith View nders, or combined range and View finders which are not in the same horizontal and vertical plane as that of the objective lens, considerable diculty has been encountered in providing correction or compensation for parallax between the optical axes of the view nder and the objective lens, as the range of an object is being measured. Broadly, it is an object of this invention to provide a combined range and view nder for use in association with the objective lens of a camera wherein the view finder and the movable basis of the range finder, he it a mirror or prism and mirror basis range finder, are incorporated in a single unit angularly displaceable with respect to the axis of the objective and the fixed basis of the range nder, thereby to automatically correct for horizontal parallax between the camera objective and the view finder as the range is being measured.

It is a further object of this invention to provide for a combined range and view finder for use in commotion with the objective lens of a camera, wherein the view finder, the movable basis of the range finder and a displaceable mask are incorporated `in an angularly displaceable turret, which functions by displacement, as the range is being measured to automatically correct for horizontal and vertical parallax between the camera objective and the view finder.

Specifically, it is an object of this invention to provide for operation by the focusing mechanism of the objective lens of a camera, a combined range and view finder assembly wherein the elements of the View nder, the movable basis of the range finder and the mask for the view finder objective lens are assembled in a turret mounted for angular displacement about a vertical axis, the mask being in addition vertically slidable with respect to the turret, whereby as the objective lens is being focused, the view finder and movable basis of the range finder are angularly displaced by the focusing mechanism in addition to secondary vertical displacement of the mask, thereby to provide automatic correction for parallax in all planes.

These and other advantages, capabilities and features of the invention will appear from the subjoined detailed description of one specific embodiment thereof illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure l is a plan view partially in section showing the combined range and view nder set at innity.

Figure 2 is a plan view partially in section showing the range and view nder set for distances less than infinity.

Figure 3 is a front elevation taken in section along lines 3-3 of Figure l.

Figure 4 is a front elevation showing the posi tion of the framing mask in the combined range and view finder when the range finder is set at infinity.

Figure 5 is a front elevation showing the position of the framing mask in the combined range and view finder when the range is set at distances less than infinity.

The drawings have been directed to only those features of a camera construction incorporating the combined range and view nder forming the subject matter of this invention, as are associated with the same in their operation.

Referring to the reference characters in the drawings, there is mounted at the upper section of the camera casing shown in broken outline, a range finder tube or barrel I0 having openings or windows at opposite ends thereof and mounting behind one of the windows and at an angle thereto a fixed mirror Ila and behind the other of the windows a semi-transparent mirror IIb, movable relative to the xed mirror, the mounting and function of which movable mirror will be later described.

Below the range finder tube I0 and midway with respect to the windows of the same there is positioned in the front Wall of the camera casing an interiorly threaded ring I3 with which there cooperates exterlorly threaded lens focusing barrel I4 mounting at its outer end the objective lens l5 and providing at its inner end a continuous contacting surface for coaction with the roller I6 of the distance measuring mechanism operable as the lens is focused.

Within the range nder tube IU and at the end opposite to that carrying the fixed mirror IIa there is fixedly mounted as by keying upon upstanding stub shaft I'I a turret I8 of substantially cylindrical conformation; such turret as shown in Figures 1 and 2 being mounted for angular displacement about a vertically extending axis in a plane normal to the optical axis of the objective lens I5. The turret I8 has mounted at diametrically opposite portions thereof field objective lens I9 and view finder eye piece lens 20 directly in line, the respective lens as mounted in the turret serving as a direct view view finder.

Between the field objective lens I9 and the eye piece lens 20 of the view finder there is interposed by fixed mounting in guides 2Ia and 2lb and in diagonal relationship with respect to the aforesaid lens of the view finder, the semi-transparent mirror IIb, the same being normally in parallelism with the xed mirror IIa at the opposite end of the range finder tube I and serving to reflect into the eye piece lens light previously reflected by the fixed mirror IIa, while at the same time permitting by virtue of its semi-transparency, for direct view of the object from the eye piece lens 20 through the field objective lens I9.

A second field objective lens 22 which is similar in properties to that of the field objective lens I9 of the view finder is mounted on the periphery of the turret substantially midway between the field objective and eye piece lens of the view finder so as to be interposed in the light path between mirrors IIa .ind IIb of the range finder, in order that the images as viewed through the light path respectively of the view finder and the mirrors of the range finder may be of like size.

On the turret I8 and in front of the mounting for the field objective lens I9 there is provided an assembly mounting for vertical reciprocation of a mask or framing member 23. A pin 24 projects forwardly of the framing member at one of its corners and such pin rides in inclined slot 25 of bracket 26 which is fixedly mounted at the front of the range finder tube I0 adjacent the path of the turret. The mask or framing member 23 is provided with opposing channel formations along the 'sides thereof defined by in-bent wings 2l, the wings being slidable within grooves 28 on opposing sides of the mounting on the turret IB of the eld objective lens I9, thereby to provide for a straight-line movement of the mask or framing member as the turret carrying the view finder elements and movable mirror basis of the range finder is angularly displaced by the mechanism now to be described.

Referring to Figures 1 to 3, roller I6 is carried on the coupling lever 29 which is mounted for angular displacement about pivot 30, the free end 3l of coupling lever 29 being on constant contact with the cam end 32 of lever 33 which is keyed to shaft II mounting the turret I8, the turret lever being maintained in constant contact with the coupling lever 21 by spring 34, one end of which is fastened to the rear wall of the camera and the other end of which is fastened to the turret lever 3| intermediate its ends.

The operation of the range finder and view nder assembly to measure the distance as the objective lens is focused is clearly illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, which respectively show the position of the objective lens, the turret carrying the view finder and the movable mirror basis of the range nder and the mechanism interlinking the same as the objective lens is focused; in Figure 1 the range finder is set at innity whereas in Figure 2 the range finder is set for distances less than infinity and as the objective lens is focused upon an object nearer than innity by displacement away from the front face of the camera, the turret is displaced angularly in the amount required until substantially the direct line of sight through the view finder lens of the turret crosses the optical axis of the objective at the object. As the turret is rotated to the right the mask or framing member 23 mounted forwardly of the eld objective lens is vertically displaced from the position shown in Figure 3 to that shown in Figure 4, as the pins 24 ride in angular grooves 25 and wings 2'I are guided in vertical grooves 28 on the turret.

By virtue -of the angular movement of the turret carrying the view finder as the objective lens is focused on the object horizontal parallax is compensated; by virtueof the vertical reciprocation of the mask carried in advance of the eld objective lens of the view finder as the turret carrying the latter is angularly displaced vertical parallax normally caused by the relative dierence in position of the view finder with respect to the objective is corrected.

Since the turret carries all of the elements of the view nder including the mask and the movable basis mirror of the range nder, all of which are actuated simultaneously by the mechanism interlinking the turret to the objective lensl automatic correction is provided for both horizontal and vertical parallax between the view finder and the objective lens as the object distance is measured through focusing of the objective lens.

It is obvious that various changes and modications may be made to the details of construction without departing from the general spirit of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a camera, an objective lens, a range and view nder assembly combined in a unit, openings at opposite ends of the unit, fixed and movable elements mounted adjacent the respective range finder openings to dene a basis range nder, a movable turret carrying the semi-transparent element of the range finder, diametrically opposing lens mounted in the turret to form a direct vision view finder, the said semitransparent element being diagonally interposed therebetween, said turret being mounted for angular displacement with respect to the opening of the unit and about a vertical axis.

2. In a camera, an objective lens, a range and view finder assembly combined in a unit, openings at opposite ends of the unit, fixed and movable mirrors mounted adjacent the respective range finder openings to denne a mirror basis range nder, a movable turret carrying the semitransparent mirror of the range finder, diametrically opposing lenses mounted in the turret to form a direct vision view finder, the said semitransparent mirror being diagonally interposed therebetween, said turret being mounted for angular displacement with respect to the opening of the unit and about a vertical axis.

3. In a camera, an objective axially displaceable for focusing, a combined range finder and view finder, the viewing and measuring elements of which are normally disposed horizontally and vertically of the objective lens, la turret mounted in the range finder tube for angular displacement about a vertical axis with respect thereto, a pair of windows in the range nder equidistant from the objective, a fixed element of the range nder behind one of the windows, the turret being disposed behind the other of the windows, diametrically opposing lens on the turret defining a view finder, a diagonally disposed semi-transparent range finder element interposed in theturret between the lens oi the view iinder, a linkage connecting the objective and the turret, whereby as the objective is axially displaced for focusing, the turret and the elements thereof are angularly displaced about the turret mounting axis, thereby to measure the distance and simultaneously correct for parallax of the View nder with respect to the objective lens.

4. In .a camera, an objective axially displaceable for focusing, a combined range iinder and view iindenthe viewing and measuring elements of which'are normally disposed horizontally and vertically of the objective lens, a turret mounted in the range iinder tube for angular displacement about a vertical axis with respect thereto, a pair of windows in the lrange finder equidistant from the objective, a fixed element of the range nder behind one of the Windows, the turret being disposed behind the other of the windows, diametrically opposing lenses on the turret dening a-view finder, a diagonally disposed semi-transparent range finder element in the turret interposed between the'lens of the view finder, a linkage connecting the objective and the turret, a framing element vertically reciprocable with respect to the turret, means for actuating said framing element as the turret is radially displaced. whereby as the objective is axially displaced for focusing the turret and the elements thereof are angularly displaced about the turret mounting axis, and as the'turret is displaced the framing element is vertically displaced with respect to the turret, thereby to simultaneously correct the view nder for parallax in all planes with respect to the objective lens as the distance of the object is measured.

5. In a camera construction, an objective, a casing carrying a combined range and View iinder assembly, openings at opposite ends of said casing, angular and parallelly mounted mirrors disposed opposite the respective openings of the barrel, one mirror being fixed and the other being semi-transparent and movable, thereby to form a mirror basis range finder and a turret mounted for angular displacement with respect to one of the windows of the casing and about a vertical axis, diametrically opposing lenses mounted at the turret to form thereby a direct vision view :Ender the movable mirror 4of the range iinder being interposed between the view nder lens of the turiet, and mechanism interlinking the objective and the turret, whereby as the same is -axially displaced for focusing, the turret is angularly displaced about its axis; thereby to correct for parallax of the view finder in the turret with respect to the objective as the distance of the object is measured.

6. In a camera construction, an objective, a casing carrying a combined range and view nder assembly, openings at opposite ends of said casing, angular and parallelly mounted mirrors disposed opposite the respective openings of the barrel, one mirror being xed and the other being semi-transparent and movable, thereby to form a mirror basis range finder, and a turret mounted for angular displacement with respect to one of the windows of the casing and about a vertical axis, diametrically opposing lenses mounted at the turret to form thereby a direct vision view finder, the movable mirror of the range iinder being interposed between the view finder lens of the turret, a framing element guided for vertical reciprocation along the turret adjacent one of the lenses ofthe view iinder therein, means actuating said framing element as the turret is angularly displaced, a mechanism interlinking the objective and the turret, vwhereby as the objective is axially displaced "for focusing the turret and the elements thereof are angularly displaced about'the turret mounting axis, and as the turret is displaced the'framing element is vertically displaced with respect 'to the turret, thereby to simultaneously correct the view finder for parallax in all planes with respect to the objective lens as the distance of the object is measured.

'7. In a 'photographic camera having an objective axially movable for focusing a mirror basis distance meter and a radially displaceable view finder of the direct view type, the range finder and view nder being combined in a single assembly wherein at one end of the range finder tube there is mounted the fixed mirror and at the other end of the range iinder tube there is clisposed a turret mounted for-angular movement about a vertically extending axis, said turret having mounted at vdiametrically opposing peripheral portions thereof eld objective and eye piece lens in direct line denng the view finder and xedly mounted and interposed therebetween in angular relation with respect thereto, a semitransparent mirror'forming the movable mirror of the range nder, and a linkage mechanism connecting the objective and the turret, operable as the objective lens is axially displaced in focusing upon an object, for angularly displacing the turret and the view finder and range nder elements carried therein, thereby compensating for horizontal parallax between the camera objective and the view nder as the distance is being measured.

8. In a photographic camerahaving an objective axially movable for focusing a mirror basis distance meter and an angularly displaceable view finder of the direct view type, the range nder and view nder being combined in a single assembly wherein at one end of the range nder tube there is mounted the iixed mirror and at the other end oi the range iinder tube there is disposed a turret mounted for 'angular movement about a vertically extending axis, said turret having mounted at diametrically opposing peripheral portions thereof eld objective and eye piece lens in direct line defining the view nder and xedly mounted and interposed therebetween in angular relation with respect thereto. a semi-transparent mirror forming the movable mirror of the range finder, and a linkage mechanism connecting the objective and the turret, operable as the objective lens is axially displaced in focusing upon an object, for angularly displacing the turret and the View nder and range iinder elements carried therein, thereby compensating for horizontal parallax between the camera objective and the view nder as the distance is being measured, and a framing member mounted on the turret adjacent the field objective lens of the view finder and means ior vertically displacing the framing member as the turret is angularly displaced, thereby to correct for vertical parallax between the view iinder lens and the objective, the correction for horizontal and vertical parallax being automatically and simultaneously eiIectuated as the objective is axially displaced for focusing.

9. In a photographic camera in combination with an objective movable axially for focusing a range and view finder assembly wherein the windows of the range finder are at opposite sides of and equi-distant from the objective lens, a xed mirror angularly mounted at the rear of one of the range finder Windows, and a turret comprising the view finder mounted for angular displacement about a vertical axis at the other window of the range finder, said turret having diametrically opposing lens defining respectively a field objective lens and a view finder eye piece lens, and a semi-transparent mirror extending diagonally across the turret between the field objective lens and the eye piece lens, a second eld objective lens of same optical properties as that of the first field objective lens interposed between the xed and movable mirrors, and means actuable by the camera objective lens as it is focused, for angularly displacing the turret, whereby the optical axis of the view finder carried in the turret crosses the axis of the objective lens at the object, thereby to compensate for horizontal parallax between the view finder and the objective lens as the object distance is measured.

10. In a photographic camera in combination with an objective movable axially for focusing, a range and view nder assembly wherein the windows of the range finder are at opposite sides of and equi-distant from the objective lens, a fixed mirror angularly mounted at the rear of one of the range finder Windows, and a turret comprising the view finder mounted for angular displacement about a vertical axis at the other window of the range finder, said turret having diametrically opposing lens defining respectively a eld objective lens and a view finder eye piece lens, and a semi-transparent mirror extending diagonally across the turret between the field objective lens and the eye piece lens, a second field objective lens of same optical properties as that of the rst field objective lens interposed between the xed and movable mirrors, and a framing mask mounted on the turret for sliding movement, and means for guiding the framing mask for vertical sliding movement as the turret is angularly displaced, and means actuable by the camera objective lens as it is focused for angularly displacing the turret, whereby the optical axis of the view finder carried in the turret crosses the axis of the objective lens at the object to compensate for horizontal parallax, and for vertically displacing the framing mask with respect to the turret as the latter is angularly displaced, whereby the field of view of the objective lens and the view nder coincide at the object, thereby to compen sate for vertical parallax between the view finder and objective lens.

11. In a camera, an objective axially displaceable for focusing, and a view nder mounted forv radial displacement about an axis in a plane normal to the axis of the objective, a framing member mounted for reciprocation with respect to said view finder, means operably linking the objective with the view nder and the framing member, whereby as the objective is focused upon an object closer to the camera than iniinity, the view finder is angularly displaced about its axis to cause the optical axis thereof to cross the axis of the objective at the object and the framing element is displaced with respect to the view finder, thereby to simultaneously correct for parallax between the view finder and the objective.

12. In a camera, an objective axially displaceable for focusing, and a view finder mounted for radial displacement about an axis in a plane normal to the axis of the objective, a framing member mounted for reciprocation with respect to said view finder, means operatively linking the objective and view finder, and means operatively linking said view nder and framing element, whereby as the objective is being focused upon an object, the view finder is angularly displaced about its axis and the framing element is vertically displaced with respect to the view finder, thereby to simultaneously correct for parallax between the view finder and the objective as the optical axes of the view finder and the Objective cross at the object.

13. In a camera, an objective axially displaceable for focusing, and a view finder disposed horizontally and vertically of said objective, and mounted for radial displacement about a vertical axis in a planesnormal to the axis of the objective, a framing member mounted for reciprocation with respect to said view finder, means operatively linking the objective and view finder, and means operatively linking said view finder and framing element, whereby as the objective is being focused upon an object the view finder is angularly displaced about its axis and the framing element is reciprocated. with respect to the view finder, thereby to simultaneously correct for parallax between the view finder and the object as the optical axes of the view nder and the objective cross at the object.

14. In a camera, an objective axially displaceable for focusing, and a view nder disposed horizontally and vertically of said objective, and mounted for radial displacement about a vertical axis in a plane normal to the axis of the objective, a framing member slidably mounted on said view finder for vertical reciprocation, means operatively linking the objective and view finder, and means operatively linking said view finder and framing element, whereby as the objective is being focused upon an object the view finder is angularly displaced about its axis and the framing element is vertically displaced with respect to the view finder, thereby to simultaneously correct for parallax between the view finder and the object as the optical axes of the view finder and the objective cross at the object.

PHILIP J. BROWNSCOMBE. 

